Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Interview: Bluegingerdoll Vintage Inspired Patterns


Today I'm happy to have Abby of Bluegingerdoll as a guest, she's a new indie pattern designer who specializes in vintage inspired creations. You know you want to know more about her!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? When did you start sewing?
I'm Abby and I live in Melbourne, Australia with my boyfriend and our 2 crazy dogs, Kenobi and Winnie. I have a love of all things vintage, especially the 40's and 50's. I also have a horse and love to go riding (when I can!), love cooking up a storm, crime shows, summertime and potato chips!
I was taught sewing in high school briefly, to be honest I really didn’t take to it at first, I actually hated going to sewing class, the teacher was a total bore, but fast forward a few years in my 20’s and I become really inspired about the thought of creating my own clothes and sewing them, and actually having the wardrobe I have always wanted. I quickly became obsessed and haven't stopped since.

How did you start Bluegingerdoll Patterns? What pushed you to begin making sewing patterns?
I started drafting sewing patterns, for a few reasons, one being the commercial patterns that are available, aren’t really inspiring and the designs not really my style at all, and let’s not talk about the random and constant fitting issues with the patterns. Original vintage patterns were what I usual sewed with, but were becoming increasingly expensive and hard to find anything in my size. So I guess the drafting come from necessity, and it felt like a natural creative step from sewing as well. I also had all these design ideas but no way of creating them unless I drafted the actual pattern myself. So I started to teach myself to draft patterns, first starting with modifying vintage patterns then onto the drafting patterns from scratch. I found that I totally loved it and I really wanted to hone my skills with this craft, so I decided to learn from the pros and studied a Diploma of fashion design and technology.

I have also always wanted to own and run a small business as well, and become my own boss and realising I had a passion for sewing and pattern making, I decided it was high time to start making that dream a reality. I could totally see myself being extremely happy and content doing this day in, day out. And I decided my designs were worth sharing with the world, and so Bluegingerdoll was born.


Tell us more about your first pattern, the Billie Jean dress.
Billie Jean is a beautiful 1950s vintage inspired dress.  It features a fitted princess seam bodice, which is designed to enhance the waist, and an alluring and flattering neckline design. It is a versatile and easily adaptable dress that is wearable in all seasons, day or night, and suits a variety of different fabrics. Perfect for experimentation and for you to add your own individual touch.  There are 2 dress styles to choose from, in the pattern:

Dress 1 - A fully lined figure hugging wiggle dress, flattering all the right curves.
Dress 2- A fun full gathered skirt, with lined bodice and practical in seam pockets.  

Both close with lapped zipper at centre back.  I have created instructions for that are easy and clear to follow with loads of diagrams, which will ensure the sewing of Billie Jean is straight forward.  Billie Jean is also available in paper or PDF patterns.

Where do you see your pattern company in the future?
Billie Jean is the very first pattern release for Bluegingerdoll, and the huge amount of positive support I have received through Facebook, Twitter and the blog, has validated it for me, that I am on the right track and maybe a little bit closer to my dream of being able to making the pattern business a full –time gig. In the meantime though, the next pattern design is in the process and is hot on the heels of Billie Jean for release, and the plan is for a few more designs to be released later on during the year.

Thank you, Abby!
To celebrate the launch of her first pattern, Abby was also kind enough to offer 2 copies of the Billie Jean dress pattern to my readers. The winners will choose if they prefer the pdf or printed version.
Because the pre-sale of this pattern ends soon (on the 19th), this will be a very very short giveaway, so whoever doesn't win can still take advantage of this offer.
In order to win, leave a comment below before Friday, May 17th at 11:00pm GMT.
Please leave an email address so I can get in touch with you (you need to write it in the comment, because I cannot access the address you leave in the Disqus form).
For en extra chance to win, like Bluegingerdoll on Facebook and leave a separate comment.

Good luck, everyone!
Giveaway closed, winner announced here.

95 comments:

  1. I love this pattern so much! The neckline is beautiful and I can't wait to see more versions on it popping up on the interwebs!
    camille < dot > barot < at > gmail < dot > com

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  2. I love the bodice. Count me in cynbular AT gmail DOT com

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  3. Amanda SerrentinoMay 14, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    (I also 'liked' Bluegingerdoll on Facebook. Thanks!)

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  4. Wow, I hope the next design she comes up with are as beautiful as this one. Very nice!

    hanne[dot]vds[at]gmail[dot]com is my adress, in case I'm very lucky and win this!

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  5. I also liked Bluegingerdoll on facebook!

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  6. I love finding out more about indie designers!

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  7. This is just a perfect dress.
    pendlestitches[at]gmail[dot]com - I've got my fingers crossed!

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  8. And I've liked Bluegingerdoll on FB. :-)

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  9. Very cute dress---I would love to make this. Please enter me!

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  10. And I liked her on FB! j9s@flash.net

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  11. Such a cute design! I would love to make one :)

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  12. I liked on Facebook too! showandtellmeg@gmail.com

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  13. It's a lovely, classic looking dress. Would be great to win!

    sabinamoolla(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. I've liked on FB too!

    It's a lovely, classic looking dress. Would be great to win!

    sabinamoolla(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  15. how exciting! love new indie designers! cathywu@gmail.com

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  16. You need to switch your comment system before the next time you do a giveaway--it's a terrible idea for people to put machine-readable email addresses in public comments!

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  17. Loving this pattern! Have a feeling it may be the pattern to make for my cousin's wedding this September....a nice bold blue! Thanks for highlighting this designer, I'd never come across her before


    alice.chambers5@gmail.com

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  18. How cute! I want it! librik at yahoo dot com

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  20. Gotta love those Gingers! Great pattern and I would love to win a copy. Thanks.
    Michelle
    shell_rock_44@hotmail.com

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  21. I've been staring at this pattern for days! My email address is knit(dot)n(dot)frog (at) gmail (dot) com

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  22. I've also liked the facebook page, hooray!

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  23. That dress looks lovely...would like to try my hands on it...thanks Sarah (sarahhirsch78@yahoo.de)

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  24. I'd be quite interested to check out the pattern. seamstresserin at gmail dot com

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  25. I also liked the facebook page. Thanks!

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  26. I think I've found the perfect pattern for ALL my future dresses!
    The length, the waistline... it has everything I love in a dress but can't find in stores. I'm so in awe :)

    agnese.ligossi (at) gmail.com

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  27. Just liked Bluegingerdoll on Fb!

    agnese.ligossi (at) gmail.com

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  29. Count me in! Mary
    maryallhandmade@gmail.com

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  30. Very cute dress! I'm very excited!
    buttyell@gmail.cm

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  31. What a cute dress! Knittingyogini[at]mac[dot]com

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  32. thanks Paunnet for the giveaway!
    my mail elocose at gmail.com

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  33. I'd love this pattern! silverdaisy at gmail dot com

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  35. Count me in! Hahamissymoo at gmail dot com :-)

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  36. I enjoyed learning a little bit more about Abby and her plans to release more patterns. I'd like to enter for a PDF pattern please. Clippedcurves (at) gmail (dot) com.
    Good luck everyone!

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  37. What a pretty dress! Would love to win. sissiri at hotmail dot com

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  38. Looks great and even better she's a Melbourne girl! noo222(at)yahoo.com!

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  39. Love the dress. hfilipci at hotmail dot com

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  40. What a great pattern. I'd love to make one or ten. Jacke. Jzlpbc@aol.com

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  41. love this dress pattern! and the name bluegingerdoll - so cool! email is (thequirkypeach)at{gmail}dot[com]

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  42. I would love a PDF copy. What a great pattern.

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  43. I love the sheath dress version! Best of luck in this exciting new adventure, Abby :D (bimbleandpimble at gmail dot com)

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  44. OMG! This dress is gorgeous! I'd definitely love a PDF of this pattern. jess-marty@hotmail.com

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  45. Thank you introducing us to Abby! I would love to win a copy of this, I love the wiggle dress, but the full skirt would suit my curves better :) liz dot alexandre at gmail dot com

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  46. Oh I love it!!!!!! Always happy to support indie patterns! amber_walker@live.com.au

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  47. Oh please please please!!! Patterns like this are both very expensive and very hard to find here in Australia. Either would be fantastic (although the PDF is probably easier for you to send). Pleeeeeeeaaaaaase!!! theadventuresofsam@gmail.com

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  48. Absolutely loving the wiggle dress version! peacock.fyre@gmail.com

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  49. So exciting to see more indi designers coming out, especially one from melbourne!
    Ktmurphy07@yahoo.com.au

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  50. Long live Bluegingerdoll, that dress is really pretty. carmencitab at carmencitab dot com

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  51. That dress is adorable! I love that it has pockets. Thanks for introducing me to a delightful new designer, and for hosting this giveaway! My email is awesomelaser at shaw dot ca

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  52. Its such a lovely pattern. I love seeing more indie designers giving it a go :) katy@sleeksilhouette.com

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  53. Love the pattern. I would love it in a print version. Can't wait to see what else she has in store! diveinsew (at) live (dot) com

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  54. Yes plase would love the paper pattern! Info[at]thepolishedbutton[dot]co[dot]uk

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  55. How sweet! Yey for new indie patterns :)
    kelerabeus.okereke@gmail.com

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  56. Ah I love discovering new indie pattern brands! the dress is gorgeous :)
    dumurclothilde[at]gmail[dot]com

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  57. The pattern works so well with these two bright fabrics ! It makes me want to try... gouacherocks[at]gmail.com

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  58. I love hearing about new pattern companies & think this dress would be a great addition to anyone's indie pattern collection! Fisforflamingo at gmail dot com

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  59. Oh my, these dresses make me want to go on holiday. I would like to try and make one. Thanks a lot for your great posts! Annelies avantvelt@hotmail.com

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  60. I absolutely adore these patterns!
    I love how there's paper and PDF versions, too, because it encourages both sides of the "pattern wars" to enjoy it! [I'm all for paper, myself, though!]
    melodymae[at]me[dot]com

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  61. Very cute and flattering pattern!
    I like it that you offer two formats!
    sewingprincess[at]bombardone[dot]com

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  62. The dress looks so glam! Perfect for the summer... I'd like a paper version, a little less hassle to get organised with.
    littlemisstwitchy[at]live[dot]co[dot]uk

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  63. p.s. Also liked BlueGingerDoll on Facebook

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  64. Beautiful pattern, I love the neckline! I'd love to win a copy! A new pattern company, how exciting!

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  65. Love love love the fitted skirt!! Possibly make a cheeky work outfit! g.m.tibbles@gmail.com

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  66. Yes pleasey! The wiggle dress is particularly fabulous. Lovely materials. hanfrench@yahoo.co.uk

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  67. This dress is beautiful ! I think I prefer a paper version, but PDF's are always a good option when you want to have it immediatly.

    And my mail is: misssunalee[at]gmail[dot]com

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  68. thanks so much for bringing a new indie designer to my attention! I love that dress pattern too! I'd prefer the PDF (if I end up getting chosen, of course!)

    katherine.jones13 gmail.com

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  69. Lovely dress! Fingers crossed...I'd prefer the PDF!

    sparrowsandspools (at) gmail (dot) com

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  70. Parnuuna Kristiane ThornwoodMay 15, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    Beautiful pattern! I love the style!!! I'm so into the 40's and 50's as well (among many other styles). they're so feminine! Absolutely gorgeous! :)
    I hope she will do very well! I'm pretty sure she will. :)
    Best of luck!


    parnuuna(a)bemygoth.com

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  71. really love this pattern - it's been on my list since i discovered them on twitter! would love to win - i'm on joanne(dot)lambert(at)gmail(dot)com

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  72. Thanks for this opportunity Paunnet ! Fingers crossed ! (mimie_butterfly@hotmail.fr )

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  73. Lovely:) I can't decide which version I like best - I think it would have to be both. powell2317@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
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  76. I'd go with the gathered skirt version, I love me some pockets. (jacquelinelbrown@hotmail.com)

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  78. I didn't even realise this company existed, I'm so pleased to have found it! I've recently come to terms with my hips and love showing them off, so wiggle skirt all the way! - tamsyn.sutton@gmail.com

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  79. Gorgeous pattern! ssmith_au@yahoo.com.au

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  84. Thanks for this interview, it's lovely to discover new designers! The pattern is sooo gorgeous!
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  88. Lovely pattern! emma(at)rosstorp(dot)se

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  89. Both versions look great! joslyncurrie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  90. Oo, I love these dress patterns! I am a total fan of the 50s bombshell look and will have to keep my eye on BlueGingerDoll in the future. My email is teraplayer <@> hushmail com!

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  91. The dress is so pretty in both versions! I hope to be lucky this time...!
    My mail is lomarilou@gmail.com

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  92. Just when I think that I don't need one more pattern, the Billy Jean changes all that. Would love to win!

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  94. Ooh, what a nice pattern! Count me in! gingermakes [at] gmail [dot] com.

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